Tube removal tool



Se t. 20, 1966 w. J. ANDREWS TUBE REMOVAL TOOL Filed May 18, 1964 FIE--3- 5 mw TF. R D N N n J- on M M W FIE-.4-

ATTORNEY United States Patent OfiFice 3,273,231 Patented Sept. 20, 1966 3,273,231 TUBE REMOVAL TOOL Walter J. Andrews, 250 Lincoln St., Apt. C, Redwood City, Calif. Filed May 18, 1964, Ser. No. 367,965 1 Claim. (Cl. 29-275) This invention relates to new and improved means for the removal of push rod protective tubes from automobile engines such as the 1960 to 1964 models of the Chevrolet Corvair air cooled engines.

Prior means for removing such tubes during the course of an engine overhaul comprised tools of general application not specifically designed to perform this particular function. As a result, removal of push rod tubes was a diflicult and unwieldy task and usually resulted in damaging the tube beyond repair. In addition, the use of tools of general application, such as snap ring pliers, often caused injuries to the worker or mechanic because such tools were neither appropriate nor safe for this particular job.

The present invention solves these problems by providing easy and simple means for the removal of push rod tubes. While prior means consisted of applying frictional force to the tube itself by means of pliers or a wrench, the present tool accomplishes the result by applying a longitudinal driving force against a shoulder formed at one end of the tube as manufactured Such application of force afiects removal of the tube without damaging the thin-walled tube and hence permits re-use of the tube.

Another feature of this invention is that by simplfying and shortening the task of removing push rod tubes, the amount of time and hence the cost, associated with such a task is greatly reduced.

A further advantage of this invention is the reduction of the possibility of injury to the hands or person of the mechanic performing the overhaul or other dis-assembly of the engine. Danger of slippage of tube or tool is eliminated and this is a considerable safety feature.

Still another advantage of the present device is the provision of an eccentrically placed tap handle such that the handle can be offset a slight distance from the plane of the tool to allow working clearance in the crowded and cramped interior of the engine compartment,

A still further feature of the invention is the provision of a tap handle terminating in a portion suitable as an anvil to be struck by a hammer to dislodge the push rod tube and permit its removal.

A further advantage of the tool is the provision of a tap handle movable in an are about its axis placed near the tube to be removed, so as to permit use of the tool when the tap handle is in any one of many positions to allow working clearance from other parts of the engine in the crowded engine area surrounding the tube to be removed.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view partly broken away in section of a portion of an automobile engine showing the push rod tube in place with tool embodying the present invention in position for applying force to the tube by means of the hammer shown.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the tool in place on a push rod tube and showing in dotted lines the position of the tube after pressure is applied to the tool.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the structure of the tool, showing the ability of the tap handle to move eccentrically from the plane of the tool.

FIG. 4 is a section of the tool taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

The present invention is designed to remove push rod protective tubes 1 of the type used in automobile engines such as the 1960 to 1964 models of the Chevrolet Corvair. In this type of engine, pushrods (not shown), connected between eccentrics on the cam shaft and valves in the cylinder heads, are enclosed and protected by thin-walled tubes 1. The push rod tubes 1 are removably afiixed at each end, one end to the cylinder head assembly 2 and the other to the engine block 3.

'In FIG. 1, a typical push rod tube 1 is shown installed in an engine removably aflixed to cylinder head assembly 2 and engine block 3. When overhauling the engine, the

push rods are removed and then the push rod tubes are removed. Push rod tube 1 is secured to cylinder head assembly 2 by means of O-ring 4 placed in groove 5 formed in collar 501 on one end of tube 1 and fitting in groove 6 formed in the inner surface of opening 7 formed in cylinder head assembly 2. Push rod tube 1 is secured in a like manner to engine block 3 by means of opening 7 formed with flange 8 facing outwardly towards cylinder head assembly 2.

Push rod tube 1 can be removed from its assembled position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 by moving tube 1 a sufficient distance along its longitudinal axis such that the end of tube 1 fitting in opening 7 reaches point 9, thereby clearing the end of flange 8 and permitting removal of tube 1 by displacing it laterally from its longitudinal axis and then pulling tube 1 out of its position at 10 through hole 7 in cylinder head assembly 2.

The present invention accomplishes this longitudinal movement of tube 1, without applying a gripping force to the thin walls of tube 1, by means of tube removal tool 11. Tool 11 is formed with a semi-cylindrical sleeve portion 12, a tap rod 13 and a rounded .handle 14. Portion 12 is formed with a thin semi-cylindrical portion with a square distal end that is formed to fit against tube 1 and bear against shoulder 15 of tube 1. Portion 12 is thin enough to fit within hole 7 and bear against shoulder 15 when tube 1 is in place, as shown in FIG. 2. Tap rod 13 is connected to portion 12 by means of clevis 16 formed on portion 12 and receiving hinge pin 17. Clevis 11 is attached to portion 12 by means of fiat-head rivets 18. Tap rod 13 passes through handle 14 and is afiixed thereto by means of nut 19.

Since tube 1 is secured in place by means of O-rings 4 at each end, a substantial force must be applied to displace tube 1 along its longitudinal axis. This is accomplished by tapping on nut 19 with hammer 20 to cause a striking force to be transmitted through tool 11 to shoulder 15 of tube 1. This force causes O-rings 4 to be dislodged and tube 1 to be longitudinally displaced a suflicient distance to clear the rim of flange 8.

Tap rod 13 pivots about hinge pin 17 which passes through hole 21 in tap rod 13. Hole 21 is of a diameter sufficiently larger than the diameter of hinge pin 17 to allow a slight displacement of tap rod 13 from its longitudinal plane, as shown in FIG. 3. Tap rod 13 can be displaced about its longitudinal plane through an are 22 as shown in FIG. 3 to allow clearance space for working in the crowded interior of the engine.

It is obvious that tap rod 13 can be rotated about hinge pin 17 to allow clearance from other elements of the engine when utilizing tube removal tool 11.

The invention thus provides a push rod tube removal tool which is simple, inexpensive and easy to use and which does not harm the tube removed, thereby decreasing repair material and labor expenses.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail, by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claim.

' What is claimed is:

A tool comprising an elongated, semi-cylindrical, thinwalled sleeve portion having a square distal end, a clevis having a central portion and parallel arms normal to said central portion, said arms spaced apart a distance slightly less than the diameter of said sleeve, said central portion aflixed to said sleeve portion adjacent the proximal end of said sleeve portion, a pin passing through said arms of said clevis, said pin laterally offset from said sleeve portion and normal to said arms of said clevis, and a tap rod having an aperture formed at one end, said pin passing through said aperture, said pin having a diameter substantially smaller than the diameter of said aperture, said tap rod longitudinally and transversely pivotally attached to said pin, whereby said rod is capable of assuming random askew angles relative to said pin and whereby tapping References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,333,286 3/1920 Smith 29275 X 1,467,914 9/1923 Balcom 29278 X 2,089,902 8/ 1937 Kulp 29-275 X 2,305,245 12/ 1942 Featherston 29249 X 2,599,818 6/1952 Evans 29275 X 2,961,756 11/1960 Johnson 29282 X FOREIGN PATENTS 13,974 8/1900 Great Britain. WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner. MYRON c. KRUSE, Examiner. 

